Monday, January 10, 2011

Is there a "Proverbs 31 husband"??

Facebook has carried a discussion of Proverbs 31. I posted several comments and I thought you might be interested to read what I wrote for the church bulletin when I was bringing the evening messages at Sequim Bible Church in Sequim, Washington--about 10 years ago.

Comparing Scripture with Scripture
“Who can find a virtuous woman?” I hope we have many of them at Sequim Bible! Compare the godly wives in Ephesians 5:22-24, 1 Peter 3:1-6 and Proverbs 31:10-31 and let’s put together a composite picture of a virtuous and godly wife. She also is Christlike because the Holy Spirit is in the process of transforming her “into His likeness with ever-increasing glory” 2 Cor. 3:18. And the Holy Spirit is also producing the fruit of the Spirit in her life: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Gal. 5:22-23

Is there also a composite picture in the Bible of a virtuous and godly husband? Not in the same way except that the entire Bible describes the Husband of the Bride of Christ. And each of these passages also has important words for the husband: Eph. 5:25-33; Col. 3:19; 1 Peter 3:7-9

What about the Proverbs 31 husband? He’s there! and it’s obvious he has given his wife plenty of “room” to act with her own leadership, creativity, and energy. She has the freedom to “consider a field and buy it,”; to work hard in creative enterprise; to care for her family; and to help those in need. She has freed up her husband from a lot of the home tasks so that he doesn’t need to “micromanage” the home because he has a diligent and effective “helper suitable for him” whom God has created to come alongside him and help him in his God-given responsibilities. (Gen. 2:18; 1:27-28)

Her husband “safely trusts” in his wife and has confidence in her. He calls her “blessed” and he praises her. This evening at 6:00 PM we’ll do likewise, Lord willing.

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